Vehicle lamp



Aug. 30,1927. 1,641,041

J. H..M F'HERSON VEHICLE LAMP Filed Feb. 10, 1925 I N VENTOR (70km .Zl. Alncj izersow/ ATTORNEYS VWITNESSES Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

JOHN I-IENRY- MAQPHERSON, or ivrerrnnsronr, PENNSYLVANIA. I

VEHICLE LAMP. I

Application filed February My invention relates to improvements in light projecting devices for vehicles, more particularly to means for mounting a pair of headlights on a vehicle, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is the provision of simple, reliable and easily operable means for supporting a pair of headlights on a vehicle and for connecting the headlights so that the rays of light from the headlights can be deflected from a given path in any one of a plurality of directions at the will of the operator.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement for mounting a pair of headlights on a vehicle and for connecting the headlights so that the headlights can be turned simultaneously about parallel or aligned axes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of a pair of vehicle headlights supported and connected by a construction embodying the invention.

Figure 2'is a section substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view ofone of the headlights, and of its supporting means and a portion of a motion transmitting member for connecting the headlight with. the other headlight.

Figure 4c is a fragmentary perspective group view showing the lower portion of one of the headlights together with a portion of the motion transmitting member and the means for loosely connecting the motion transmitting member to the headlight.

In Figure 1, I show a pair of headlights, each indicated generally at 1 and each comprising a casing 2 having ale'ns 3 mounted in the forward end portion of the headlight casing. v

The supporting means for each headlight includes an inner gimbal ring 4 which is rigid with the headlight casing and which may be the forward end portion of the headlight casing. The inner gimbal ring l is supported within an outer gimbal ring 5 in spaced concentric relation to the latter by means of a pair of aligned vertical pivot pins 6 and therefore the inner gimbal ring 4 and consequently the headlight casing is swingable in the outer gimbal ring about a 10, 1925. "Serial No. 8,233.

vertical axis which extends diametrically of the outer gimbal ring. The outer gimbal ring 5 is supported between forks 7 into which the upstanding arm 8 of a bracket 9 is divided, the forks 7 being curved as shown to partially encircle the outer gimbal ring and the connection of the outer gimbal ring with the forks being effected by means of a pair of aligned horizontal pivot pinslO which are carried by the forks, the outer gimbal ring and therefore the headlight casing being turnable about a horizontal axis which extends diametrically of the outer gimbal ring. The respective brackets 9 are secured detachably as shown in Figure 2 or otherwise'if desired on'opposite end por tions of a horizontal rod 11 so that the upstanding bracket arm 8 will be parallel. The horizontal rod 11 may be rigidly secured to a vehicle body, not shown, in any suitable known manner. Also, it is obvious that the brackets 9 can be secured to the vehicle body with the arms 8 of the bracket upstanding and parallel without the use of the rod 11 and in any suitable known manner.

The rearward end portion of each lamp casing 2 is provided with a depending stud projection 12 having a reduced 'lowerend' portion 18, thus producing a shoulder 1e at the juncture of the reduced end portion 13 and the remaining portion of the depending stud projection. The shoulder 14 is convexly curved as shown fora purpose to be presently described. A motion transmitting rod for connecting the stud projections 12 of the two headlights preferably is adjustv able as to length and therefore may comprise a pair of end sections 15 and a middle section 16 respectively, each end section having a vertical opening in its outer end portion as indicated at 17 for the section 15 in Figure 4, through which the reduced per tion 13 of the adjacent stud projection 12 is adapted to extend loosely, the lower end portion of the reduced portion 13 of the stud projection being threaded for engagement with a nut 18 for preventing displacement of the section of the motion transmitting rod from the stud projection. The inner end portions of the sections 15 are in sliding 7 contact with the end portions of the section- 16, the sections 15 sliding on the section 16 and each section 15 being provided with a longitudinal slot 19 through which the shank of a headed clamping screw 20 extends and is, in threaded engagement with the under- It'll l ll lying section l6 tor the purpose of rigiidlv connect" 3 the sections 1:) and 16, with the length ot the member 17 -iltl-l5 ad'iueted in; desired between the limits set; by the, opposite ends of the slots 19.

From the foregoing descri iition ot the various parts of: the device. the ope ation thereof may he readily understood. 'ihe nuts ltl retain the ends of the motion trans milling member 1,5-1t-15 on the reduced end portions 13 ot' the pendant stud projections til without chnnping each end portions ot the motion trai'ismitting rods againat the shoulders l-l, whereby axial movement of the motion tramanitting rod il+3lt$---1 i to the extension required to cause a desirable turning of the headlight caainga about par: llel vertiral axes in perniitited without liiinding between the end portions of the motion transmitting rod liiltl -lh and the atud pi'opctioins 12.

The :l tn'ming oi? the ahonldera ll with convexlv curved 'l'acea coope a ea witl the loose connection between the end portions of the motion transmitting rod and the stud projeetione l1 to permit the axial movement ol? the motion transmitting rod t53-ltl-l5 just described. When it is desired to swing the headlight aaings about a horizontal axis, the rod l-\----'lt$l5 is moved hodil in an upward or downward direction. The direction which the are oil? light from one of the headlighta will take with respect to the direetitm out the rays of light llOlll the other headlight ma be varied initially h; adj iating the sections to and in of the motion transmitting rod and thereafter the headlight using will he moved simultaneously ahout either aligned hm'izontal axes or about parallel vertical axes when the motion tranamitting rod l5-lt3---1Ii is moved. Any suitable known mechanism, none being shown, can be provided for connecting the rod 15-1G15 with an operating member adjacent to the seat of the vehicle on which the headlights are mounted so that; the rod l5i-l6-15 an be operated from the drivers seat.

It will be manitestthat an be swung about vertical axes to illuminate areas at either side of a roadway for any purpose and that the swinging oi' the operating rod 1f-lt}-l5 upward will cause, concentration of the rays of light; llOlll the headlight. directly in front oi. the vehicle while swinging oi' the rod l5l(' 15 down- 'ard will cause rays oil. light to be projected a greater distance in advance of the vehicle than is usual.

I claim 1- .In combination, a pair of headlight easings in 11118 su n mrting )ach h Padlight casing tor swinging movement about a verti .:al axle and. For swinging movement about a horizontal axis, a stud rarried by each head light 'aaing rearwardly of a verti 'al plane pasaing through the vertical axis of swinging' movement oil the headlight casing and also rearmnw'llv ot a vertical plane panning through the horizontal axle of swinging movement oil' the headlight mating, and a single cross connecting rod loosely connected at its ends with said studs and movable bodily in one direction to swing said head light; :asinga siniultancoualy about said vertical axis said cross connecting rod also being movable hodilv to swing said headlight casings simultaneously about said hon izont'al axes, said crors connecting rod con1- t n-rising a pair ol nimilar end. sections and a middle section, the outer ends ol the end aectioiui being loosely connected with said studs and the inner end portions of the end sections being adj'ustablv connected with said end portions of said middle section.

JOHN llliNI-lli IrlIaoPlilElttlOli.

the hezullights 

